Patents by Inventor John Hepp

John Hepp has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11033996
    Abstract: A transport device is provided for transporting objects from work station to work station. A production facility for producing products is also described. The transport device has an object carrier on which a plurality of object carrier elements are arranged for placing down objects, and a drive unit for driving the object carrier. The object carrier can be moved in successive cycles such that the object carrier elements can be transported on a movement path from work station to work station. At least one object carrier element on the object carrier is displaceable relative to the object carrier in the movement path. The transport device has a dog element and a retaining element that are assigned to the object carrier element. The carrier element is carried along by the object carrier and moved from work station to work station or the carrier element remains at a work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: John Heppe, Pascal Joachimsky, Franz Kugelmann
  • Patent number: 10952635
    Abstract: A textile fabric is used to make a textile moisture sensor. The textile fabric has a top side facing away from the skin and/or a wound, and an underside that faces the skin and/or the wound and on which the textile fabric has a moisture-impermeable barrier. The textile fabric is formed from non-conductive warp threads, non-conductive weft threads, and conductive warp threads and/or conductive weft threads that are arranged such that an electrically conductive structure is formed in the textile fabric. The moisture-impermeable barrier on the underside of the textile fabric has at least one opening and conductive warp and/or conductive weft threads arranged in the region of the opening such that the conductive threads can come into contact with moisture from the skin and/or wound in the region of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: John Heppe
  • Patent number: 10745214
    Abstract: A rotary feedthrough for a transport device having a rotary object carrier 3 with object carrier elements 6 arranged to be distributed around the circumference, on which carrier elements objects are placed which are transported on a circular movement path from work station to work station of a production facility. A transport device, a production facility for making products, and a method for transporting objects from work station to work station of a production facility are also described. The rotary feedthrough has a stationary component 19 having media inputs 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 for providing media for supplying actuator units 12.1, 12.2; 18.1, 18.2 of an object carrier element 6.1, 6.2. The rotary feedthrough has a plurality of components 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24.4 which are rotatable independently of one another about a common central axis 23 relative to the stationary component 19 and which each has media outputs 25.1, 25.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: John Heppe
  • Patent number: 10669103
    Abstract: A transport device for transporting objects from workstation to workstation in a production system is described along with a production system for manufacturing products, in particular containers filled with a medical product. The transport device has a stationary assembly 2, an object carrier 3 rotatable about an axis of rotation 4 in successive work cycles, a plurality of object carrier elements 6, which are arranged circumferentially distributed and movable relative to the object carrier on a circular path 8, and to which coupling elements 14 are assigned, which can take on only a first switching position or a second switching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: John Heppe, Franz Kugelmann, Matthias Meisinger
  • Patent number: 10646971
    Abstract: A transport device is provided that includes a rotary object carrier which includes object carrier elements arranged so as to be distributed around the circumference, on which carrier elements objects are arranged which are transported on a circular movement path from work station to work station of a production facility. A production facility for making products is also described as well as to a method for transporting objects from work station to work station of a production facility. The transport device has one or more actuator units assigned to one or more object carrier elements which units can move together with the object carrier elements. The actuator units can be provided with media by a central supply device by way of a rotary feedthrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: John Heppe
  • Patent number: 10314964
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tube covering for a tubing system, especially for monitoring a vascular access for an extracorporeal blood treatment. The inventive tube covering has at least one flexible bottom layer on which a section of the at least one tubing and/or a connection system of at least one tubing may be placed and has at least one flexible top layer for covering the section of the at least one tubing and/or the connection system of the at least one tubing. The bottom layer and the top layer are joined to one another such that they form an openable wrapping for inserting the section of the at least one tubing and/or the connection system of the at least one tubing, fastening means for detachably joining the top layer and the bottom layer being provided on the top layer and bottom layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: John Heppe, Michael-Paul Jestram, Axel Kort, Maria Millan-Galante, Alexander Schrörs, Andreas Wüpper
  • Publication number: 20190105749
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device for transporting objects from work station to work station A, B, C, D of a production facility, to a production facility for producing products, comprising a transport device of this type, in particular to a production facility for producing containers filled with a medical product, and to a method for transporting objects from work station to work station of a production facility. The transport device has an object carrier 3 on which a plurality of object carrier elements 6 are arranged for placing down one or more objects, and a drive unit 5 for driving the object carrier. The object carrier 3 can be moved in successive cycles in such a way that the object carrier elements 6 can be transported on a movement path 8 from work station to work station A, B, C, D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: John Heppe, Pascal Joachimsky, Franz Kugelmann
  • Patent number: 10046120
    Abstract: A device for detecting moisture for an arrangement for monitoring an access to a patient for a system by which, via a flexible line, a liquid is fed to a patient and/or a liquid is fed out from the patient, and in particular for monitoring the vascular access in extra-corporeal blood treatment and particularly for monitoring a central venous catheter for acute dialysis includes at least a portion which can be deformed into a sleeve and placed around the circumference of the flexible line or of a connecting system. The portion in sleeve form has fastening means for fixing it in place in the position in which it surrounds the flexible line or the connecting system. The portion in sleeve form allows the device to be fastened quickly and securely to a flexible line or a connecting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: John Heppe, Andrea Kraemer, Alexander Schroers, Andreas Wuepper
  • Patent number: 9968298
    Abstract: A method and a device for folding a cover material on a medical sensor having a carrier material which is to be fixed to the skin of a patient and which, on the side facing the patient, is provided with an adhesion or adhesive layer to which the cover material is applied, wherein a section of the cover material which is opposite an adhesion-layer-free section of the carrier material forms a tab. The method and the device are based on the use of a tool for folding the cover material which has at least two contact surfaces which intersect at an edge which runs parallel to the plane of the combination of carrier material and cover material. The tool is moved on an axis which runs at an angle to the plane of the combination of carrier material and cover material in such a way that the tab is gripped by the tool and folded over by the tool. After the tab has been folded over, pressure is applied to the folded-over section of the carrier material to produce a folded edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: John Heppe, Roland Rullof
  • Publication number: 20180049667
    Abstract: The invention relates to a textile fabric to be placed onto the skin and/or a wound of a patient, comprising a top side facing away from the skin and an underside which faces the skin and on which the textile fabric has a moisture-impermeable barrier 14, wherein the textile fabric is formed from non-conductive warp threads and non-conductive weft threads and from conductive warp threads and conductive weft threads which are arranged such that an electrically conductive structure 5 consisting of conductive warp and/or weft threads K, S is formed in the textile fabric. The invention also relates to a transdermal patch for applying an active substance, contained in an active substance reservoir 17, over the patient's skin, comprising a textile fabric of this type, and to an assembly consisting of a transdermal patch and an evaluation unit 20 for detecting the amount of active substance in the active substance reservoir in the transdermal patch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: John Heppe
  • Patent number: 9867934
    Abstract: A device for detecting moisture for use with a device for monitoring an access to a patient for an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus is described. The device for detecting moisture is constituted as a two-dimensionally extending fabric to be placed on the patient's skin, having an electrically conductive structure as a moisture sensor and constituted by non-conductive and conductive warp and weft threads configured to produce in the woven fabric a defined electrically conductive structure through spatial separation of the warp and weft threads. By the use of conductive warp and weft threads, an electrically conductive structure can be constituted having sections running in different directions, thereby creating a moisture sensor exhibiting a particularly high degree of sensitivity. The electrically conductive structure is preferably terminated with a terminating resistor, preferably not a component part but rather part of a connection part of the device, so that production is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: John Heppe
  • Publication number: 20170304560
    Abstract: A device for detecting moisture for an arrangement for monitoring an access to a patient for a system by which, via a flexible line, a liquid is fed to a patient and/or a liquid is fed out from the patient, and in particular for monitoring the vascular access in extra-corporeal blood treatment and particularly for monitoring a central venous catheter for acute dialysis includes at least a portion which can be deformed into a sleeve and placed around the circumference of the flexible line or of a connecting system. The portion in sleeve form has fastening means for fixing it in place in the position in which it surrounds the flexible line or the connecting system. The portion in sleeve form allows the device to be fastened quickly and securely to a flexible line or a connecting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: John Heppe, Andrea Kraemer, Alexander Schroers, Andreas Wuepper
  • Patent number: 9731086
    Abstract: A device for detecting moisture for an arrangement for monitoring an access to a patient for a system by which, via a flexible line, a liquid is fed to a patient and/or a liquid is fed out from the patient, and in particular for monitoring the vascular access in extra-corporeal blood treatment and particularly for monitoring a central venous catheter for acute dialysis includes at least a portion which can be deformed into a sleeve and placed around the circumference of the flexible line or of a connecting system. The portion in sleeve form has fastening means for fixing it in place in the position in which it surrounds the flexible line or the connecting system. The portion in sleeve form allows the device to be fastened quickly and securely to a flexible line or a connecting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: John Heppe, Andrea Kraemer, Alexander Schroers, Andreas Wuepper
  • Patent number: 9651575
    Abstract: There is a testing device for testing a sensor. The testing device includes a rotating mechanism; a first rotating plate connected to the rotating mechanism so that the first rotating plate rotates around an orbital axis (Z1); a second plate rotatably attached to the first rotating plate at a rotating point, the second plate having a rotational axis (Z2) offset from the orbital axis (Z1) by a predetermined distance R; and a gripping mechanism attached to the second plate and configured to receive and fix the sensor relative to the second plate. The second plate follows a circular trajectory with constant attitude around the orbital axis (Z1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SERCEL INC.
    Inventor: John Hepp
  • Patent number: 9645218
    Abstract: A method and device for testing sensors to be applied on a patient's skin for detection of liquid or moisture are described, in particular for monitoring vascular access in an extracorporeal blood treatment, in which a patient's blood is carried away from the patient via an arterial line and is fed to the patient via a venous line. A method for producing sensors to be applied on a patient's skin for detection of liquid or moisture is also described. The method and device according to the present invention are based on the testing of one or more moisture sensors which are taken from current production. The method includes providing a large number of twists of the moisture sensor applied onto a torsion body, the mechanical stresses thus recreating the stresses that can occur in practice when the moisture sensor is applied or stuck onto the patient's skin or forearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Schroers, John Heppe, Roland Rullof
  • Patent number: 9629952
    Abstract: A terminal clamp for a moisture sensor to be placed on a patient's skin in order to monitor a vascular access to a patient includes first, lower and second, upper legs for clamped fixing of terminal tab of moisture sensor, rear end pieces of the legs being connected. The terminal clamp includes terminal contacts for contacting electrical contact points of terminal tab, and a guide piece having a slot-shaped cutout for receiving terminal tab. Slot-shaped cutout of guide piece is bounded laterally by two stop elements so that terminal tab is held in terminal clamp in a predetermined position, in which terminal contacts of terminal clamp contact the electrical contact points of terminal tab. Upper leg comprises a latching device, which is fixed in slot-shaped cutout in a snap-in manner when terminal clamp is closed to lock upper leg in position on lower leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: John Heppe, Simone Lippert, Andreas Wuepper
  • Patent number: 9488610
    Abstract: A weaving method for producing a plurality of moisture sensors for a device for monitoring an access to a patient, in particular for monitoring the vascular access in an extracorporeal blood treatment, wherein the moisture sensors are woven. During the weaving of the moisture sensors, non-conductive warp threads, non-conductive weft threads, conductive warp threads and conductive weft threads are disposed in the textile two-dimensionally extending structure, such that spatially demarcatable structures of electrical strip conductors are created. The strip conductor structures can be produced by spatial separation or contacting of the conductive warp or weft threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: John Heppe
  • Patent number: 9464951
    Abstract: A method for electrically setting a gap for a piezoelectric pressure sensor. The method includes positioning a piezoelectric flex element on a tray; attaching a voltage source to the piezoelectric flex element of a piezoelectric pressure sensor; applying a voltage from the voltage source to the piezoelectric flex element; curing an adhesive between the piezoelectric flex element and the tray while the piezoelectric flex element is deflected by the voltage; and stopping the voltage from the voltage source to the piezoelectric flex element when the adhesive has been cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SERCEL INC.
    Inventor: John Hepp
  • Patent number: 9322942
    Abstract: A streamer for seismic prospection comprising directional sensors (20), such as geophones or accelerometers, distributed along the streamer, characterized in that said streamer comprises at least two tilt sensors (30, 40) located in remote positions and in locations distant from the directional sensors (20) and means which determined the effective orientation of each directional sensor (20) by interpolating along the streamer the tilt detected by the two tilt sensors (30, 40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SERCEL
    Inventors: Gaetan Mellier, John Hepp, Mike Maples, Simon Leboeuf, Isabelle Sellin
  • Patent number: 9308332
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a moisture detection system which takes the form of a covering to be applied to the patient's skin, and to a monitoring system for monitoring a vascular access for a blood-treating apparatus. The covering of the moisture detection system has a flexible substrate material to which an electrically conductive structure having printed conductors is applied as a moisture sensor. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, because a terminating resistor is not part of a moisture detection system, the device can be inexpensively produced in large quantities. This is of advantage in that the moisture detection system is generally intended for once-only use. With the separate terminating resistor, there is no risk of the terminating resistor being damaged or its resistance changing due to movements on the part of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: John Heppe